U.S. patent number 8,696,472 [Application Number 13/869,504] was granted by the patent office on 2014-04-15 for arrangement with joint and gearwheel body.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Neumayer Tekfor Holding GmbH. The grantee listed for this patent is Neumayer Tekfor Holding GmbH. Invention is credited to Tim Benz, Alexander Ebert, Thomas Etzold, Martin Lehmann, Tobias Roser.
United States Patent |
8,696,472 |
Ebert , et al. |
April 15, 2014 |
Arrangement with joint and gearwheel body
Abstract
An arrangement with a joint and a gearwheel body for a
transmission is provided in which the joint is a constant velocity
joint arranged at least partially in an interior space enclosed by
the gearwheel body. The constant velocity joint has inner and outer
hub tracks and a bearing cage arranged to maintain an essentially
constant control angle between tangential ball contact points with
the inner and outer tracks while the bearing cage holds the balls
in a plane.
Inventors: |
Ebert; Alexander (Oberkirch,
DE), Lehmann; Martin (Hornberg, DE), Roser;
Tobias (Friesenheim, DE), Etzold; Thomas
(Offenburg, DE), Benz; Tim (Hausach, DE) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Neumayer Tekfor Holding GmbH |
Hausach |
N/A |
DE |
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Assignee: |
Neumayer Tekfor Holding GmbH
(Hausach, DE)
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Family
ID: |
45558444 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/869,504 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2013 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20130237331 A1 |
Sep 12, 2013 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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PCT/DE2011/002071 |
Dec 1, 2011 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Dec 23, 2010 [DE] |
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10 2010 056 112 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
464/15;
464/906 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16D
3/24 (20130101); F16D 3/223 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16D
3/223 (20110101) |
Field of
Search: |
;464/15,145,173,178,906 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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31 26 192 |
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Jan 1983 |
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DE |
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37 00 868 |
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Jul 1988 |
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DE |
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38 20 449 |
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Dec 1989 |
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DE |
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39 07 105 |
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Sep 1990 |
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DE |
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199 04 960 |
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Nov 2000 |
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DE |
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100 54 421 |
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May 2002 |
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DE |
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10 2005 003 388 |
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Aug 2005 |
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DE |
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10 2007 016 414 |
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Oct 2008 |
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DE |
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10 2010 027 059 |
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Jan 2012 |
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DE |
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1 126 188 |
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Aug 2001 |
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EP |
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1 213 931 |
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Nov 1970 |
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GB |
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WO 02/14092 |
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Feb 2002 |
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WO |
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WO 2006/074678 |
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Jul 2006 |
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WO |
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Other References
German Search Report dated Nov. 14, 2011 including English-language
translation (Ten (10) pages). cited by applicant .
International Search Report dated Mar. 8, 2012 including
English-language translation (Six (6) pages). cited by
applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Binda; Gregory
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Crowell & Moring LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of PCT International Application
No. PCT/DE2011/002071, filed Dec. 1, 2011, which claims priority
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 from German Patent Application No. 10
2010 056 112.6, filed Dec. 23, 2010, the entire disclosures of
which are herein expressly incorporated by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An arrangement with as joint and a gearwheel for a transmission,
comprising: a constant velocity joint; and a gearwheel body,
wherein the joint is arranged at least partially in an interior
space enclosed by the gearwheel body, wherein the constant velocity
joint includes an inner hub with inner ball tracks, an outer hub
with outer ball tracks, the inner ball tracks and the outer ball
tracks are arranged in pairs in relation to each other, a cage with
windows that are distributed over the periphery arranged between
the inner hub and the outer hub, balls arranged in the windows of
the cage and in the pairs of inner ball tracks and outer ball
tracks, wherein the balls are held in a plane by the cage, wherein
said outer hub is fixed between a stop of said gearwheel body and a
nose of a bearing cover, and wherein said nose impinges on said
outer hub.
2. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said nose is
elastically deformable or plastically deformable or resilient.
3. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein a sealing element
is clamped between said outer hub and said bearing cover and is
connected to said inner hub.
4. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein a closing element
is provided being at least partially located within said gearwheel
body on a side of said constant velocity joint facing away from
said bearing cover.
5. The arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the closing
element is a sheet metal hat.
6. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fill element is
arranged in said interior space enclosed by said gearwheel body,
wherein said fill element comprising at least partially a foam.
7. The arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fill element
is a closed cell foam.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an arrangement with a joint and a
gearwheel body for a transmission, wherein the joint is arranged at
least partially in an interior space enclosed by the gearwheel
body.
An arrangement conforming to its genre is described, for example,
in German patent specification DE 199 04 960 C1. The joint that is
disclosed in said patent involves, in particular, a universal
joint. Such universal joints are inserted, for example, in skew
bevel gears of transfer cases and welded thereto. In addition to
the asynchronism, there is the drawback that such universal joints
cannot withstand the torque loads to be expected in future engines
of motor vehicles.
The object of the present invention is to propose an arrangement of
gearwheel bodies and joints that also allows the transmission of
higher torques.
This engineering object is achieved, according to the invention, by
the fact that the joint is a constant velocity joint. In this case
the gearwheel body is, in particular, a part of the
transmission.
One embodiment comprises that the joint (i.e. the constant velocity
joint) has an inner hub with a longitudinal axis and inner ball
tracks; that the joint has an outer hub with a longitudinal axis
and outer ball tracks, wherein the inner ball tracks and the outer
ball tracks are arranged in pairs in relation to each other; that
the joint has a cage with windows that are distributed over the
periphery; that the cage is arranged between the inner hub and the
outer hub; that the joint has balls, which are arranged in the
windows of the cage and in the pairs of the inner ball tracks and
the outer ball tracks and which are held in a plane by the cage,
wherein the tangential planes at the points of contact of the balls
with the inner ball tracks and the outer ball tracks form a control
angle, wherein the inner ball tracks have in each case an active
section, in which the balls move, and wherein the outer ball tracks
have in each case an active section, in which the balls move.
One embodiment provides that at least the active sections of the
inner ball tracks have in each case a curvature that in essence
changes continuously along the associated longitudinal axis, that
at least the active sections of the outer ball tracks have in each
case a curvature that in essence changes continuously along the
associated longitudinal axis, and that the curvature of the active
sections of the inner ball tracks and the curvature of the active
sections of the outer ball tracks are designed and adapted to each
other in such a way that the control angle is essentially constant
at least between the states of the totally extended joint and the
maximally deflected joint. As a result, the curvature of the tracks
changes along the longitudinal axis of the respective hub. See in
this respect U.S. Pat. No. 8,523,687, corresponding to German
patent application DE 10 2010 027 059.8, which was filed by the
applicant and is not a prior publication. The track curvatures of
this special joint are designed in such a way that when the joint
bends, the control angle remains constant as compared to the prior
art.
The following embodiments relate, in particular, to the
aforementioned special constant velocity joint. One embodiment
provides that the inner ball tracks have in essence completely a
curvature that in essence changes continuously along the associated
longitudinal axis. Thus, the continuous curvature also relates, for
example, to regions, in which the balls may be located only during
the assembly of the joint. One embodiment comprises that the outer
ball tracks have in essence completely a curvature that in essence
changes continuously along the associated longitudinal axis. In
this embodiment the same also applies to the outer ball tracks
having a curvature that changes continuously over its entire
course. One embodiment provides that at least the active sections
of the inner ball tracks extend in a plane with the associated
longitudinal axis. As a result, the active ball tracks have no
lateral offset over their entire course. One embodiment comprises
that the inner ball tracks extend in essence completely in a plane
with the associated longitudinal axis. One embodiment provides that
at least the active sections of the outer ball tracks extend in a
plane with the associated longitudinal axis. In this embodiment the
outer ball tracks are in alignment with the longitudinal axis of
the outer hub. One embodiment comprises that the outer ball tracks
extend in essence completely in a plane with the associated
longitudinal axis. One embodiment provides that the curvature of
the active sections of the inner ball tracks and the curvature of
the active sections of the outer ball tracks follow the same
mathematical function. In this embodiment the ball tracks that are
assigned to each other in pairs are uniform. One embodiment
comprises that the curvature of at least the active sections of the
inner ball tracks and/or the curvature of at least the active
sections of the outer ball tracks can be described at least
approximately by a mathematical function that is linear at least in
sections. One embodiment provides that the curvature of at least
the active sections of the inner ball tracks and/or the curvature
of at least the active sections of the outer ball tracks can be
described at least approximately by a mathematical function that is
elliptical at least in sections.
One embodiment comprises that an outer side of the outer hub is in
contact with an inner side of the gearwheel body at least by means
of a press fit and/or form fit.
One embodiment provides that the outer hub is arranged, in
particular, is fixed, between a shoulder of the gearwheel body and
a bearing cover. In this embodiment the inner side of the gearwheel
body has a shoulder, against which the outer hub of the joint rests
with one side. On the other side of the outer hub there is a
bearing cover, which in this embodiment also closes off one side of
the arrangement or specifically the gearwheel body. At the same
time, for example, the inner hub or a shaft, which is connected to
the inner hub, projects from the bearing cover.
One embodiment comprises that the bearing cover has a nose, which
faces the outer hub and which is, in particular, elastically
deformable or plastically deformable or resilient. In this
embodiment the bearing cover has an extension, which acts
preferably as a stop for the outer hub. In this case the nose can
be deformed or reformed in an elastic or plastic manner, for
example, during the assembly. Preferably the nose is deformed
outwards, i.e. in the direction of the gearwheel body. In an
additional embodiment the nose is designed in such a way that it is
resilient. With this nose it is possible, for example, to
compensate for the tolerances of the components.
One embodiment consists of the fact that the gearwheel body and the
bearing cover are connected to one another, in particular, are
welded to one another. One design variant provides, in particular,
that the welding of the gearwheel body with the bearing cover
entails a pressing of the gearwheel body and the bearing cover
against each other with a concurrent welding. In this embodiment
the gearwheel body and the bearing cover are welded to one another,
whereby in one embodiment an axial pressure is exerted during the
welding so that the gearwheel body and the bearing cover are
pressed against each other.
One embodiment provides that the outer hub is arranged, in
particular, is fixed, between a shoulder of the gearwheel body and
a bead of the gearwheel body. One design variant provides, in
particular, that the bead of the gearwheel body is produced after
the outer hub is inserted into the interior space of the gearwheel
body. In this embodiment the outer hub is clamped between the stop
of the gearwheel body and a bead of the gearwheel body, wherein the
bead is produced preferably after the outer hub is inserted into
the interior space of the gearwheel body. That is, on the side of
the bead the material of the gearwheel body is plastically defined
and is deformed, in particular, in the direction of the interior
space. For this purpose it is provided, for example, that the
gearwheel body is not yet hardened following the insertion of the
outer hub and prior to the production of the bead. In this design
variant, for example, at least the outer hub and the gearwheel body
are hardened first in the assembled state. In one design variant at
least one component, for example, the outer hub, is already
partially pre-hardened.
One embodiment comprises that at least one sealing element is
provided. This sealing element is arranged between the outer hub
and the bearing cover and opens out on the inner hub and/or an
extension of the inner hub. One embodiment provides that the
sealing element, for example, a bellows, is pressed between the
outer hub and the bearing cover and has elastic properties, i.e.
can be mechanically loaded.
One embodiment provides that a closing element, in particular a
sheet metal hat, is provided on a side of the joint that faces away
from the bearing cover. In this embodiment the side of the
inventive arrangement that faces away from the bearing cover or
more specifically the side of the gearwheel body that faces away
from the bearing cover is at least partially closed by a closing
element. In this case, it involves, for example, a type of sheet
metal hat having a cylindrical construction that is inserted into a
recess of the gearwheel body.
One embodiment comprises that a fill element, in particular a
closed cell fill element, is arranged in at least one cavity of the
arrangement. In this case one design variant provides that the fill
element, for example, a foam element, is arranged on the side of
the outer hub that faces the sheet metal hat. In this embodiment an
interior space of the arrangement is populated with a fill element,
for example, an element made of foam. Preferably the material that
is used is stable with respect to lubricants and with respect to
temperature. The fill element reduces the space which exists around
the joint and which is filled, for example, with lubricating grease
so that the joint will function reliably. A cavity can be produced,
for example, by a light-weight construction of the arrangement and,
in particular, if the outer dimensions of the arrangement or more
specifically the components of the arrangement are maintained.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a schematic joint in the
non-deflected state.
FIG. 2 shows a detail of the joint from FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment according to the invention.
FIGS. 4 a) and b) show the embodiment from FIG. 3 and an enlarged
detail; and
FIGS. 5 a) and b) show an additional design variant of an
embodiment according to the invention during the assembly and an
enlarged detail thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional view through a joint (cf. the aforementioned
application bearing the German patent application number DE 10 2010
027 059.8), which in one embodiment is a part of the arrangement
according to the invention. Between the inner hub 1 and the outer
hub 2 there are balls 4 for the purpose of transmitting the torque
between the two hubs 1, 2. The balls 4 have inner ball tracks 11 in
the inner hub 1 and outer ball tracks 21 in the outer hub 2. These
inner ball tracks and outer ball tracks accommodate in pairs a ball
4. The balls 4 are arranged in a window 30 of the cage 3, which may
be found between the inner hub 1 and the outer hub 2 and which
holds the balls 4 in a plane. In the design variant that is shown
in this embodiment the active sections 22 of the outer ball tracks
21 coincide with the outer ball tracks 21, or the active sections
12 of the inner ball tracks 11 coincide with the inner ball tracks
11. The joint is depicted in the totally extended, i.e.
non-deflected state, in which the longitudinal axis of the outer
hub 20 and the inner hub 10 coincide. Thus, it is also the
longitudinal axis of the joint.
The detail in FIG. 2 shows the tangential planes 5 at the points of
contact 51 of the balls 4 with the inner 11 and the outer ball
tracks 21. They form the control angle .alpha.. The control angle
.alpha. changes in the case of the joints known from the prior art
as a function of the deflection angle of the joint. In case of the
joint that is shown in this embodiment and is used advantageously
in the arrangement according to the invention, the control angle
.alpha. is the same at each deflection. This feature can be
achieved, for example, if the ball tracks conform to an elliptical
function.
FIG. 3 shows an inventive arrangement with a joint 99 (in this case
it involves, for example, a joint from FIGS. 1 and 2) and a
gearwheel body 100 (in this case it involves, for example, an
output gearwheel of a transmission). In this embodiment the
gearwheel body 100 of the transmission, which is otherwise not
illustrated, has a cylindrical extension on a side, which may be
found on the left hand side of the drawing in this embodiment. The
constant velocity joint 99 is disposed in the interior space
enclosed by the gearwheel body 100. At the same time the outer hub
2 is connected preferably in a positive locking and friction
locking manner to the inner side of the gearwheel body 100 and
rests with one side against a stop 101 of the gearwheel body 100.
One side of the interior space around the joint 99 or rather
enclosed by the gearwheel body 100 is closed by a closing element
120. In this embodiment the closing element 120 is designed as a
sheet metal hat, which is pressed into the cylindrically extending
connecting section of the gearwheel body 100 and is, in addition,
connected, for example, by adhesively cementing to said connecting
section. In an additional design variant, which is not illustrated
in this example, a damping element is provided between the outer
hub 2 and the gearwheel body 100. Between the joint 99 and the
inner wall of the gearwheel body 100 or rather the closing element
120 there is a cavity 107, which is partially filled with a fill
element 130. The fill element 130 consists, for example, at least
partially of a preferably closed cell foam, which is, in addition,
preferably stable to grease and temperature. Since the joint 99 is
enveloped with grease, the fill element 130 reduces the amount of
grease required. In the illustrated embodiment the closing element
120 projects in the shape of a cylinder into the cavity 107; and
the fill element 130 surrounds the closing element 120 in the shape
of a ring, so that the outer contour of the fill element 130 is
adapted to the inner contour of the gearwheel body 100. A bearing
cover 105 is provided on the side of the joint 99, to which a
wave-like section is connected. Between the bearing cover 105 and
the inner hub 1 the interior space of the gearwheel body 100 around
the joint 99 is closed by a sealing element 115. The sealing
element 115, which is, for example, an elastic sealing bellows, is
clamped between the bearing cover 105 and the outer hub 2 and is
connected to the inner hub 1. The bearing cover 105 and the
gearwheel body 100 are welded together, for example, in such a way
that during the welding process an axial pressure is applied
between the bearing cover 105 and the gearwheel body 100. Prior to
the insertion of the pins of the gear shaft, the joint 99 per se is
already closed off so that, in particular said joint is grease
resistant.
FIG. 4 a) shows the position of the enlarged detail from FIG. 4 b)
in the arrangement from FIG. 3. The detail in FIG. 4 b) shows the
region, in which the bearing cover 105 impinges on the outer hub 2.
This occurs here via a nose 106 of the bearing cover 105. As a
result, the nose rests on the outer hub 2 and thus, forms the
counter element to the stop of the gearwheel body 100 for the axial
fixation of the joint 99. In an alternative embodiment the nose 106
or rather the bearing cover 105 is inserted until the result is a
plastic deformation of the nose 106. In an additional embodiment
the nose 106 has resilient properties so that even changes
resulting from tension between the gearwheel body 100 and the joint
99, can be compensated for. In this illustrated embodiment the gap
that is shown here between the bearing cover 105 and the gearwheel
body 100 is closed due to the welding.
FIG. 5 a) and the enlargement of FIG. 5 b) show an alternative
design variant in order to fix the outer hub 2 axially on the inner
side of the gearwheel body 100. In this case the inner side of the
gearwheel body 100 is reformed with a tool 150 after the joint 99
has been inserted into the interior space of the gearwheel body
100, so that a bead is produced in this region 102 of the gearwheel
body 100. Due to this bead 102 the outer hub 2 is totally enveloped
by the inner surface of the gearwheel body 100 and is held axially
on said inner surface of the gearwheel body.
The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate
the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since
modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit
and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the
art, the invention should be construed to include everything within
the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *